Aurangabad police on Tuesday registered a case against Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, two days after his provocative speech against loudspeakers in mosques. Several party members have warned that they will hit the streets if any further action is taken against their party head.

A look at all the recent developments in the case – 

1. On May 1, two days before Eid, the MNS chief addressed a massive rally in Aurangabad during which he warned that Hanuman Chalisa will be played at double volume in front of mosques if loudspeakers there were not removed by May 4. 

“It is my humble request to the administration that today is the 1st. Tomorrow, it is the 2nd. Eid is on the 3rd. I don’t want to spread any poison at their festival. I will not listen from the 4th. It is my request to all the Hindu brothers and sisters of Maharashtra that you must play Hanuman Chalisa at double volume wherever their loudspeakers are installed,” he said. 

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2. On Tuesday afternoon, MNS leader Mahendra Bhanushali was taken into preemptive custody ahead of the May 4 ultimatum, and speakers were confiscated from his Chandivali office.

3. The Aurangabad police registered a case against the MNS chief and the rally organisers under various IPC sections, including 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot).

4. Maharashtra police chief Rajnish Seth said the Aurangabad police commissioner will take appropriate legal action against the MNS chief in connection with the case.

“The Aurangabad CP is looking into the speech. He will take whatever legal action that is needed today itself. The Maharashtra police are capable of handling any kind of law-and-order situation. SRPF and Home Guards have been deployed in the state. I appeal everyone to maintain peace,” he said. 

5. Several MNS leaders warned of agitation over action against  Thackeray.

“It was expected because the way these people (the government) were troubling us while giving us permission for the rally, they wanted to book Raj saheb. The next step could be his arrest. But our motto is purely social. MNS workers will hit the streets…every Hindu will also do the same and show the government its place,” MNS Thane district president Avinash Jadhav said. 

6. Raj Thackeray, in his first response after the FIR was lodged, reiterated his demand to take down the loudspeakers by May 4. 

“I appeal to everyone that, tomorrow, May 4, if you hear loudspeakers blaring with Azaan, then play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers at the same places. That’s when they will realize the hindrance of these loudspeakers,” he said in a statement.